Capitol Reef National Park

Capitol Reef National ParkUtah

“Located in south-central Utah in the heart of red rock country, Capitol Reef National Park is a hidden treasure filled with cliffs, canyons, domes and bridges in the Waterpocket Fold, a geologic monocline (a wrinkle on the earth) extending almost 100 miles.” (NPS)

I once said that I wasn’t that impressed with Capitol Reef National Park, but I said that during a quick drive-through of the park after spending a week in Moab and then four days at Bryce Canyon National Park. At the time, I just wasn’t as blown away as I can be by so many other national parks. It was pretty, but no more-so than a lot of Utah.

Well, I now take it back…. Capitol Reef National Park is pretty awesome.

This spring, I did another drive-by on my way home from Death Valley National Park and through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. I had wanted to drive the Burr Trail to see what I could see. I was set to get home to Colorado the next day, so I figured instead of going out of my way south to Bullfrog, I’d hop on Nottom-Bullfrog Road and head north through Capitol Reef National Park.

Now I’m hooked. Like Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, I now need to get back sooner than later…